<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>The “Sweet Spot” on backup generators is at 9000 to 13000 watt, where you get the most bang for the buck.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Generac system is about convenience. It will auto start after about 10 minutes (setup) of power outage. Most modern homes in the south require several tens of thousands of watts generator to be truly whole house, and they are very expensive.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have a unit with a 10KW generator which runs MOST of the house with a manual transfer switch. I go to the generator shed, plug in the generator to the external circuit, use the electric start to run the generator for 2-5 minutes to get it warm, then switch the manual switch in the house and well house. It continues to run until I reverse the process.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It cost about $1200 including the 50 amp transfer switch. I have a portable 8000 btu air conditioner, which has a 6inch hose to run out the window, which will de-humidify and cool the living and sleeping areas downstairs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Most modern generators of this size will run dual fuel, including gasoline with an option of Natural or Propane Gas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When we moved here 32 years ago, the fort bend county area had lots of power outages. We only have 3 or 4 a year now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Big systems do run 20-40 thousand dollars, which is rather a lot for the convenience during those few outages.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By the way most electrical contractors can put together a hybrid system with a Generac controller for convenience, and a medium sized dual fuel 10KW generator with the electronics for automatic start/stop and switching to generator/mains.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>73’s <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>KD5EXG<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blaine Taylor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> BVARC <bvarc-bounces@bvarc.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Shannon Tassin via BVARC<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 3, 2021 6:38 PM<br><b>To:</b> BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Shannon Tassin <stassin@hotmail.com>; Mike Lambert <mikradhou@hotmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [BVARC] backup power plan<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>I recently made many calls and talked to many vendors to determine the best backup power plan. I was hoping that solar plus battery would not only provide power during an outage but would also always provide power.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>My conclusion was that whole home backup generator is still the only cost reasonable option. That will cost you $10-15k (but they are in short supply and you likely won’t get until November) whereas solar plus battery is more like $50k. I was even told by one solar company that when the power is out, the solar panels get shut down so as not to push electricity back to the grid so they don’t generate at all when the grid is down. So for a long outage all you have is the battery and no ongoing solar generation.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On May 3, 2021, at 6:12 PM, D. Howard Bingham via BVARC <<a href="mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org">bvarc@bvarc.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Easy, get a Generac WHOLE HOUSE Generator, but be careful, as since the FREEZE & power outages several months ago, PRICES ARE WAY UP & supplies may be SHORT with a LONG WAIT for installation.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>My Nephew had the Generac system installed in my Sister's home in Deer Park 3 years ago, I need power for CPAP breathing machine at night, sister has tripped in the dark when power has gone out at night. So here it's a MEDICAL ISSUE.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Alternative would be SOLAR CELLS (GENERAC HAS THESE with Battery Power packs that typically are installed in a garage for use when power fails at night, or during storms.).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Those who've followed the PBS "This Old House" has seen similar systems installed in major house remodeling over the years.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>73</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>D. Howard Bingham</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>KE5APJ</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>--</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>On 5/3/2021 2:42 PM, Mike Lambert via BVARC wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>Hurricane season starts in a month. <br><br>I am interested in talking to anyone who has a backup power plan (remember Ike?) to compare notes, ideas, techniques, etc. <br><br>We could comm via email outside of the BVARC listserve. <br><br>Mike <br>KI5PIY <br><a href="mailto:mikradhou@hotmail.com">mikradhou@hotmail.com</a> <br><br><br><br>________________________________________________ <br>Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club <o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal>--<br>________________________________________________<br>Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club<br><br>BVARC mailing list<br><a href="mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org">BVARC@bvarc.org</a><br><a href="http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org">http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org</a><br>Publicly available archives are available here: <a href="https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/">https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/</a> <o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></body></html>